After years of anticipation, Xbox finally gave fans their first real look at Indiana Jones and the Great Circle during their 2024 Developer Direct presentation. Developed by MachineGames, The Great Circle aims to be a genre mash-up, blending first-person adventure and action with some third-person climbing and exploration.
Set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will send Indy on a globetrotting journey to locations like the Himalayas and Africa. Exact story details remain mostly under wraps, but the title itself hints at some larger mystery or conspiracy for Dr. Jones to uncover.
Gameplay appears to focus on exploration, puzzle-solving, and action. We see Indy cracking safes, decoding messages, and getting into shootouts and chase sequences reminiscent of the films. Melee combat, platforming, and physics-based puzzles look to round out the experience. The game looks to take inspiration from the films and tries to bring players into the world of Indie on their adventure in a way never before done properly.
Looking at the footage shown, MachineGames has nailed the Indiana Jones aesthetic with detailed period environments and fluid, cinematic animation. Iconic franchise props like the hat, whip, and revolver also make welcome appearances. It is amazing seeing the world of Indiana Jones done with such care and attention, with the game looking to be filled with life and aspects that should excite new and old fans alike.
Indiana Jones represents a major coup for Xbox, a beloved IP that will drive interest in the platform for years. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle seems poised to capture the thrill and humour that makes Indy so enduring while bringing new gameplay possibilities to the table. With a 2024 launch window in place, fans shouldn’t have to wait too long to embark on this next great adventure.
